Education Studies (Top-Up)

The course is designed for foundation students who wish to top-up to a full BA (Hons) degree on a full time or part time basis. Gain a broad understanding of education from early years to lifelong learning before pursuing a career in teaching or education more widely. You will benefit from a strong focus on social equality, international learning opportunities and the chance to take a specialist pathway.

• Consider different aspects of education in a range of settings, within and outside school
• If you complete this course and meet the entry requirements for our PGCE Primary, we will guarantee you an interview - more details below. 

The Education Studies degree opens doors to a wide range of careers, this course explores the role of education in society and examines how moral and social issues shape learning.

Develop in-depth knowledge

You will be provided with a solid understanding of education and educational equality, bringing together perspectives from history, psychology, sociology and philosophy.

You will attending an intellectually stimulating course that will make you an authority on current education policy and practice.

The programme analyses various elements of the education world today and builds on the knowledge and skills the learners have already acquired from degree level study and any work experience.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Once you have completed this course you will discover wide-ranging career opportunities in fields relating not only to education but also to social care, health care, careers and guidance, and the voluntary sector.

Our graduates are now enjoying success as higher level teaching assistants, welfare child protection officers, early years practitioners, care assistants, and community learning facilitators.

Throughout the course, we place great emphasis on improving your employability. Our end-of-year symposium Voices of the Near Future encourages students to showcase their future aspirations and explore the many career directions available.

Please note that this course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status. However, if you’d like to train to be a teacher, you will be guaranteed an interview for our  if you meet the entry requirements.

You could also apply to study our  or enhance your career prospects further still by continuing to study with us at masters level.

240 credits from a recognised qualification such as a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma, or equivalent international qualification (consisting of 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5) in a relevant subject area.

Alternatively, if you hold other relevant qualifications and have significant professional work experience in this field, we can consider this too.

If you do not quite meet the entry criteria, we may be able to offer you a place on a 20-credit bridging module called Certificate of Credit in Preparing to Study at Level 6 (Education, Childhood and SEND) to support your progression onto this Top-Up degree.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.